Holly Ridge Council OKs tax refund change, restructuring

Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 06:36 AM.

Tax refunds, restructuring and a land purchase are just a few of the things the Holly Ridge Town Council recently approved, according to city officials.

A resolution approved Tuesday night will allow Holly Ridge residents to get tax refunds sooner if they are under $100. The resolution, which was passed unanimously, permits the town manager to handle requests for a release or refund of taxes under $100.

The manager will provide a monthly report to the Town Council of actions taken by him on requests for release or refund.

According to Town Manager John Maiorano, residents dispute owed taxes through the Onslow County Tax Office. Once it’s determined the person gets a tax refund, the Tax Office then notifies the municipality to refund their portion as well.

“Our goal is to get it back as soon as possible with no red tape other than what’s required by general statutes,” Maiorano said.

The town council also directed Maiorano to proceed with a purchase of land behind town hall for $45,000 following a closed session, according to Town Clerk Heather Reynolds. The property at 303 Sound Road currently belongs to Wendy Guthrie and is to be used for future municipal purposes, Reynolds said.

The $45,000 will consist of about $37,000 from the town’s fund balance and $9,000 from the 2014-15 budget, according to Reynolds.

Tax refunds, restructuring and a land purchase are just a few of the things the Holly Ridge Town Council recently approved, according to city officials.

A resolution approved Tuesday night will allow Holly Ridge residents to get tax refunds sooner if they are under $100. The resolution, which was passed unanimously, permits the town manager to handle requests for a release or refund of taxes under $100.

The manager will provide a monthly report to the Town Council of actions taken by him on requests for release or refund.

According to Town Manager John Maiorano, residents dispute owed taxes through the Onslow County Tax Office. Once it’s determined the person gets a tax refund, the Tax Office then notifies the municipality to refund their portion as well.

“Our goal is to get it back as soon as possible with no red tape other than what’s required by general statutes,” Maiorano said.

The town council also directed Maiorano to proceed with a purchase of land behind town hall for $45,000 following a closed session, according to Town Clerk Heather Reynolds. The property at 303 Sound Road currently belongs to Wendy Guthrie and is to be used for future municipal purposes, Reynolds said.

The $45,000 will consist of about $37,000 from the town’s fund balance and $9,000 from the 2014-15 budget, according to Reynolds.

The closed session also resulted in the town opting to restructure its maintenance department to include a superintendent and three personnel, Reynolds said. Currently the department includes a supervisor, foreman and two personnel.

Maiorano said the foreman was recently laterally transferred to the inspections department, prompting the town to consider its future.

“We’re in a growth spurt in the town and looking in the next couple of years to double our street system so we’re just looking ahead,” he said.

Maiorano said that town officials are currently revising job descriptions and creating one for the superintendent position, but hope to have the superintendent position open for applications by next week.

During the meeting, the town also:

n Unanimously approved a rezoning request from Linwood Jones to rezone 31 acres on Penny Lane to R-15 single family residence.

n Approved a $4,875 contract for CPA Larry E. Carpenter of Greenville to audit the town’s accounts and file a report by Oct. 31.

Amanda Humphrey is the online editor at The Daily News. She can be reached at amanda.humphrey@jdnews.com.